In this workshop you will practice a short, polite conversation about changing a plan. You will learn how to apologize, say that something came up, ask to move the plan to another day, and check whether a day works for the other person. You will hear the key lines in Spanish and then use them in three short speaking tasks. You can play both roles: first the person who needs to change the plan, then the person who answers. Listen carefully, repeat out loud, and check your answers with the self-checks after each task.
Apologize and say something came up
Start with a short apology. «Perdón, no puedo ir.» means "Sorry, I can't go." Perdón is a quick and sincere way to apologize in everyday situations. Then explain briefly that something unexpected happened. «Me surgió algo.» means "Something came up." It is a neutral way to say that an unexpected matter appeared. You can combine these ideas in one natural line: «Oye, perdón, me surgió algo y no puedo ir el sábado.» means "Hey, sorry, something came up and I can't go on Saturday." Notice the order: first you get the person's attention, then you apologize, then you give the reason, and finally you say you cannot go. Keep your tone calm and friendly. A short apology is enough; you do not need a long explanation.
Ask to move the plan to another day
After you explain the problem, suggest a new day. «¿Lo podemos pasar al domingo?» means "Can we push it to Sunday?" The word lo refers to the plan or appointment, so this line works when you are talking about an existing plan. Use pasar a plus a day or time to move that plan. The other person can accept and suggest a time. «Sí, el domingo me queda bien. ¿Nos vemos a las cinco?» means "Yes, Sunday works for me. Shall we meet at five?" Here me queda bien means "works for me." To ask the other person if a day works, use «¿Te queda bien el sábado?», which means "Does Saturday work for you?" If you are speaking formally with usted, you can change te to le. Finally, «Perfecto, nos vemos el domingo a las cinco.» means "Perfect, see you Sunday at five." This confirms the new plan clearly.
Put the conversation together
A full exchange can move smoothly from problem to solution. First, the person who needs to change the plan says «Oye, perdón, me surgió algo y no puedo ir el sábado.». Then the other person answers with «No hay problema. ¿Lo podemos pasar al domingo?», which means "No problem. Can we push it to Sunday?" Next, the first person accepts and suggests a time with «Sí, el domingo me queda bien. ¿Nos vemos a las cinco?». The conversation ends with «Perfecto, nos vemos el domingo a las cinco.», a clear confirmation. When you practice, say each line out loud and copy the rhythm. Do not rush. If a line feels long, say it in two parts, then join them. You can also swap roles: one round you are the person who cannot go, and the next round you are the person who offers a new day. This helps you hear both sides of the conversation.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
¿Lo podemos pasar al domingo?
Can we push it to Sunday?
loh poh-DEH-mohs pah-SAHR ahl doh-MEEN-goh
Me surgió algo.
Something came up.
meh soor-HEE-oh AHL-goh
Perdón, no puedo ir.
Sorry, I can't go.
pehr-DOHN, noh PWEH-doh eer
¿Te queda bien el sábado?
Does Saturday work for you?
teh KEH-dah byehn ehl SAH-bah-doh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Oye, perdón, me surgió algo y no puedo ir el sábado.
Hey, sorry, something came up and I can't go on Saturday.No hay problema. ¿Lo podemos pasar al domingo?
No problem. Can we push it to Sunday?Sí, el domingo me queda bien. ¿Nos vemos a las cinco?
Yes, Sunday works for me. Shall we meet at five?Perfecto, nos vemos el domingo a las cinco.
Perfect, see you Sunday at five.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: change the plan
Imagine you have plans with a friend, but something unexpected happened. You need to apologize and move the plan to Sunday. Your friend is open to a new day.
Your task: Say your first line out loud using the apology and the reason: «Oye, perdón, me surgió algo y no puedo ir el sábado.» Then, as the friend, offer a new day with «No hay problema. ¿Lo podemos pasar al domingo?» After that, accept Sunday and suggest meeting at five with «Sí, el domingo me queda bien. ¿Nos vemos a las cinco?»
Reply comprehension: choose the right answer
You hear a friend say a line about a problem with Saturday. You want to answer in a calm and helpful way.
Your task: Listen to the recorded line «Oye, perdón, me surgió algo y no puedo ir el sábado.» Then choose the best reply: either you say «No hay problema. ¿Lo podemos pasar al domingo?» or you say you cannot go and end the conversation. Say your chosen reply out loud.
Recall and swap roles
Now you will remember the whole exchange. First you are the person who cannot go on Saturday. Then you are the person who offers Sunday.
Your task: Say the full conversation from memory. Start with «Oye, perdón, me surgió algo y no puedo ir el sábado.» Then, as the other person, say «No hay problema. ¿Lo podemos pasar al domingo?» Accept Sunday and suggest five with «Sí, el domingo me queda bien. ¿Nos vemos a las cinco?» Finish with «Perfecto, nos vemos el domingo a las cinco.» After that, swap roles and say the other person's lines.
Common questions
Do I need to explain exactly what happened?
No. A short reason is enough. The recorded line «Me surgió algo.» means "Something came up" and keeps the explanation simple. You can apologize with «Perdón, no puedo ir.» and then move to the new plan. In everyday conversation, people usually do not ask for a long story.
How do I check if a day works for the other person?
Use the recorded question «¿Te queda bien el sábado?», which means "Does Saturday work for you?" The phrase quedar bien means to suit someone or to work for them. If you speak formally, change te to le. You can also accept with «Sí, el domingo me queda bien. ¿Nos vemos a las cinco?», which means "Yes, Sunday works for me."
Sources and further reading
- spanish: reschedule meetupChecked September 2026
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